The Guwahati Press Club general election which isheld after 17 years is underway on Thursday. The polling has taken place from 8am today till 4 pm in which 36 candidates will contest in 10 posts. 816 membersof the GPC form the electorate who will decide the fate of the 36 candidates.

The candidates have left no stone unturned to make the election successful with its intense campaign, using traditional outreach methods like banners, posters, festoons and the new age mediums like social media bulk messages, Whatsapp broadcasts and audio-visuals, and door-to-door campaigns.

One of the candidates and Political Editor ofPratidin Time, Nayan Pratim Kumar said, "We cover politics, polity and leadersand elections are big-time for any journalist just like a political party andits candidates since we journalists through our report reflect the voice, hope,aspirations of people for elections which is our democratic rights. But atGuwahati Press Club, with no elections, the democratic rights of journalists,the members of press club were curbed. This time like me, many other youngjournalists are contesting. This is a healthy competition and we are reclaimingdemocracy within our fraternity."

The decision for the elections after 17 years wastaken after a group of young journalists collected the signatures of 76 membersasking for elections. The annual general body meeting was held and the previouscommittee that was at the helm of affairs was dissolved.